Demokracy: Nation Awaits

Chapter 60: Day of Commemoration

Ventus 11, 1942

The grandeur of the Felora'n Palace was somber on this day, with its walls draped in the colors of mourning. President Denver Brooks, standing before the nation's most powerful leaders and representatives, prepared to announce a decree that would forever mark two solemn dates on the Eldorian calendar. Before him was Proclavore 1 s. 1942, a proclamation that would memorialize the victims of the recent Remdant Public Market Massacre in a new annual observance: the Day of Commemoration.

With a steady gaze, Brooks addressed the gathered officials, each of whom wore expressions of deep respect and reverence. "My fellow Eldorians, today, we take a step toward honoring those we have lost in the most horrific attack our city has ever seen. I am here to proclaim that Ignis 22 and Ventus 11 will forever be remembered as a period of solemn commemoration, a time for us all to reflect on the lives taken too soon and the spirit they embodied."

As he spoke, the memory of the massacre felt ever-present. In recent weeks, Eldoria had been shaken to its core by the tragic loss of over forty innocent citizens in the heart of Remdant City. The massacre left an indelible scar, a reminder of how precious and fragile life could be. Families mourned, communities grieved, and the nation's collective heart had been left aching. But on this day, Brooks intended to channel that grief into something lasting—a national tribute of remembrance, a gesture of unity and resilience.

He held up the proclamation, its parchment bordered in gold and bearing the seal of the Republic of Eldoria. "With the signing of Proclavore 1 s. 1942," he continued, "we declare that Ignis 22 will mark the beginning of our national Day of Commemoration, a period that will culminate on Ventus 11. These dates will stand as symbols of our enduring respect and sorrow for those we have lost, as well as our collective vow to remember them always."

Brooks took a deliberate pause, letting his words sink in. The room was silent, save for the quiet breaths and the distant hum of the city outside. It was a heavy silence, filled with the weight of lives forever changed, and the promise that those lives would not be forgotten.

"Ignis 22," he continued, "will not be just a mark on a calendar. It will be a day when the citizens of Eldoria pause to remember the everyday heroes of Remdant City—ordinary people with extraordinary love for their country. These were people who contributed to our society in countless ways, who went about their daily lives with dignity, only to be taken from us too soon. And so, every year, beginning on Ignis 22, our nation will come together in grief and in remembrance, until the period of mourning concludes on Ventus 11. This will now be a national holiday for all Eldorians."

As the President signed the proclamation, a wave of solemn understanding seemed to wash over the room. The act was not just ceremonial; it was personal, an acknowledgment of loss and a promise to keep their memories alive.

After placing his signature, Brooks looked up at the gathered officials. "Let this proclamation remind us all of our duty—to protect, to remember, and to cherish the freedoms and lives we hold dear. And let Ignis 22 and Ventus 11 be our annual reminders of both the light and the darkness in our shared history."

In the days that followed, the people of Eldoria began preparing for the first annual Day of Commemoration. The streets of Remdant City were adorned with black ribbons and symbols of remembrance. Families gathered in small ceremonies, lighting candles, and placing flowers at the sites where their loved ones had perished. Schools and workplaces held moments of silence, and the entire nation seemed to exhale as one in a shared moment of reflection and reverence.

When Ignis 22 arrived, church bells tolled throughout Remdant City, and flags were flown at half-staff across Eldoria. Citizens of all backgrounds came together, visiting memorials and comforting one another. It was a day for stories—stories of loved ones lost, of lives cut short, and of memories that would endure. The nation's newspapers published tributes to the victims, sharing their stories, names, and faces with the public. The city paused in its tracks, a bustling metropolis brought to a standstill in collective mourning.

And on Ventus 11, the final day of commemoration, President Brooks gave a moving speech from Felora'n Palace, once again honoring the victims and calling for unity. "Today, we close this period of remembrance," he said, "but let their legacy live on in each of us. The spirit of Remdant endures. The love and courage of those we lost will forever be a part of Eldoria. This nation, strong and resilient, stands not just for its living, but for those who came before us and left an imprint on our hearts."

The Day of Commemoration, born from tragedy, became a pillar of Eldorian national identity. Every year, Ignis 22 and Ventus 11 would serve as symbols of remembrance, reflection, and resolve—a time for all of Eldoria to honor the past, mourn the lost, and look forward, united, to a better future.